"Biker" attitudes... Good and Bad...

[Illinois Boy]

There was a post on here from a person asking a question as to why we ride a Spyder. You'll notice it if you haven't already been one to respond. I didn't...

However, I find something I have witnessed to be somewhat funny to me.

I have ridden metrics, Harleys, and now a Spyder RT. It seems that there are always a certain number of people riding one of the bikes mentioned that has an attitude. You'll notice it mostly by them not waving, or the scowl they have on their face when passing or walking-by.

I actually get a kick out of it when I see someone not wave at me based on the bike I may be riding at that moment.

When I ride my HD Ultra-Classic... most HD's can't wave enough at me... when on a metric... not so much. When on my Spyder... I see less of the Harley crowd wave -- although a surprising number do wave.

So... as I said, I get a kick out of how certain people react to what you are riding.

I will however say, I have never had so many smiles, questions, compliments, and downright amazement when riding the Spyder. Far more than any other bike I have owned, and certainly more than when I ride my Harley.

I am laughing all the way with anticipation to the next ride... and to answer the questions of those with inquisitive minds.

 

[NoJive]

My previous bike was a Suzuki C50, and most of the time, the Harley guys waved. Now I also rode a 150cc scooter, and when I was riding that, the wave ratio went way down. Surprisingly, on the Spyder, the same thing happens. I'm kinda getting used to people not waving, but the odd thing is, people on Goldwing trikes get a ton of respect in my area. Maybe it's something about the wheels in front, who knows?

 

[JJW SpyderRider]

There was a post on here from a person asking a question as to why we ride a Spyder. You'll notice it if you haven't already been one to respond. I didn't...

However, I find something I have witnessed to be somewhat funny to me.

I have ridden metrics, Harleys, and now a Spyder RT. It seems that there are always a certain number of people riding one of the bikes mentioned that has an attitude. You'll notice it mostly by them not waving, or the scowl they have on their face when passing or walking-by.

I actually get a kick out of it when I see someone not wave at me based on the bike I may be riding at that moment.

When I ride my HD Ultra-Classic... most HD's can't wave enough at me... when on a metric... not so much. When on my Spyder... I see less of the Harley crowd wave -- although a surprising number do wave.

So... as I said, I get a kick out of how certain people react to what you are riding.

I will however say, I have never had so many smiles, questions, compliments, and downright amazement when riding the Spyder. Far more than any other bike I have owned, and certainly more than when I ride my Harley.

I am laughing all the way with anticipation to the next ride... and to answer the questions of those with inquisitive minds.

I've noticed a big change in how many people stopped waving after I got my RT :dontknow:. When I was on my red GS I would say about 80% would wave. On the ride home from the dealer I it went down to 20%. I then rode my GS the day I sold it and the waving went right back up to about 80%. I always wave but it has got to the point that I have stopped at times. Does the RT look so much different from a MC than the GS that I am really not considered to riding a real MC :lecturef_smilie: and thus do not deserve a wave?

 

[Questions]

I wave to every brand or type of bike whether it be Spyder, trike, solo road bike, trailie or scooter etc. If I don't get a nod or wave back, well stiff sh#t, that's their problem. I've done my bit to make motorcycling that much friendlier and it doesn't upset my day because every day is a good day on the Spyder.
Regards
Paul...Radar

 

[juliantrost]

Interesting post... So, I have been on the RS for 3 weeks now and had a custom cruiser before that. I guess the observations mentioned so far are accurate; to date, in 3 weeks, I got 2 waves and both were from local guys who knew me by the painted helmet, which I alway wear. So, I must say, I agree, not too many waves in NJ either. Or well, I guess I will have to get over it.

 

[Starrider]

I apologize up front if I ruffle the feathers of riders in my home state of Iowa while restirring the helmet debate. When dear wife and I took a trip north to visit family I couldn't help but notice that a large percentage of the helmetless riders wouldn't wave. Didn't matter whether they were riding American or Metric. Couldn't help but wonder if they felt "superior" because they weren't required by their state helmet up.

 

[vondalyn]

I wave at everyone, even scooters. I notice that I get a lot more waves down on the flats than I get in the mountains. I commented on this to my husband and he reminded me that not everyone is comfortable taking one hand off the bars. He must be right -- isn't the back seat driver always right?

 

[Mattman]

I just rode from Fort Worth to San Diego and back. The closer I was to Texas, the more people waved regardless of what they were riding.

 

[Illinois Boy]

I apologize up front if I ruffle the feathers of riders in my home state of Iowa while restirring the helmet debate. When dear wife and I took a trip north to visit family I couldn't help but notice that a large percentage of the helmetless riders wouldn't wave. Didn't matter whether they were riding American or Metric. Couldn't help but wonder if they felt "superior" because they weren't required by their state helmet up.

Now that you mention it, I do notice more waves or nods from those wearing helmets, than those without.

Don't know if it has anything to do with the lack of a helmet law though...

 

[Sarge707]

I don,t wave- But I nod my head- Is that OK?? I prefer 2 Hands on the bars?:hun:

 

[Schnauzer]

I ride all 3 types and give the I cya finger, most everyone waves back. We have a few 1%'ers who neglect a wave. I will admit that when I'm on the spyder I get more attention when I stop than I o when I'm on 2 wheels.. But thinking about it now, I know why.. Look at me:yikes:

 

[bruisersbaby]

Here in NC, the majority of bikers wave to us. There are some that don't acknowledge us, but we chalk that up to ignorance. But hey - we are a roadster, not a motorcycle, so we are unique!! Really, though - most of them do wave back!!

:spyder2:hyea:hyea:

 

[NoJive]

I wave to every brand or type of bike whether it be Spyder, trike, solo road bike, trailie or scooter etc. If I don't get a nod or wave back, well stiff sh#t, that's their problem. I've done my bit to make motorcycling that much friendlier and it doesn't upset my day because every day is a good day on the Spyder.
Regards
Paul...Radar

:agree:

 

[flamingobabe]

When we stop for gas or to eat....It doesn't matter what I ride.... either of my 2 tricked out Valkyries, or the Harley Electra Glide.... folks walk past me like I am invisible , to get a look at Flamingobabes' Spyder.... She's a Rock Star...
Some wave... some don't.... no big deal !!!
The invisible hotglue....hyea:

 

[vondalyn]

I don,t wave- But I nod my head- Is that OK?? I prefer 2 Hands on the bars?:hun:

I also nod when I don't want to take one hand off the bar

 

[summerdawn]

Just finished a ride through West Va., North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky and got more waves in every state than I could respond to! I got waves from every kind of bike ~and~ from people in cars and on foot!

 

[MarkLawson]

I normally wave to all and normally don't look to see if they wave back.

 

[Y-me]

RE: "Biker" attitudes

I was ryding upstate and decided to stop into O'tooles over in Wurtsboro to talk about HD stuff.
They happened to be getting a HOG group together for a 9-11 ride and it was like something out of a movie.
As I approached the dealership lot about 50 HD people turned a gawked just about simultaneously.
Then when I pulled in most ignored me but some came over and asked about the Can-Am.

Nothing on the dealer or even HOG'sters but I would have rode along except no one asked and the yer not HD stigma seemed a little self evident.

 

[ARtraveler]

Results will vary on the wave stuff. Currently about 85% of the bikes I encounter wave back. Sport bikers, tourists on rental beemers, and some HD are mostly the ones that don't wave back.

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

I wave to everyone, I don't care if they wave back or not. I get a lot of thumbs up from people on foot though, and in cages as well. I even had a lady in her 70s+ ask me if I wanted to trade for her minivan. I just smiled and said no thanks, I have a minivan at home.
But I have to admit, I don't always see other riders coming from the other direction and I think maybe sometimes they don't see me either.